Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit 20

            Last month we provided and overview of the statistics for 2008.  There was however some data that was not included.

            When reports are input into the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliary Search and Rescue system we categorize the missions by type, required actions and by causes.

            In 2008 38% of the type of missions were for vessels that had either grounded or gone adrift.  Neither circumstance is a happy one for mariners as his/her vessel is at grave risk when this happens.  16% of vessels were disabled by mechanical breakdowns or from other causes.  All of these mission types are indicative of vessels not being cared for, operated and maintained properly.

            Missions are also input by the actions that Unit 20 members take.  For example 26% of 2008 missions involved searching.  This could be for a vessel or for people on shore.  As some will recall Unit 20 was involved in a nighttime shoreline search for an overdue hiker last Halloween evening.  19% of the missions involved monitoring situations.  In one case there was a large converted trawler grounded on a flat rock shelf in good weather near Tumbo Island.  In this case there was no safety risk either to the vessel or crew and we monitored the vessel until a commercial towing vessel arrived to pull it off.

            The final category is by the cause of the mission.  Failure to report was the cause of 22% of the missions.  This typically occurs when a mariner was supposed to arrive at a specified location or was expected to call home.  The result can be a concerned call to the Coast Guard and if it is in our area we are called out.  15% of the missions relate to mistaken belief or lack of knowledge.  There is no substitute for training and the wise mariner will have taken, as a minimum, the Canadian Power and Sail Squadron basic boating course.  Another 15% were caused by hull or rigging failures or my mechanical failure.  Both of these are indicative of inadequately maintained vessels.

            Boating should be fun, and it usually is, but mariners should always be well trained and keep their vessels well maintained.

 

Bob Vergette